Chinese Dumpling Recipe

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We love Chinese food at our house. However, it seems like since we moved away from the D.C. metro area yearsago, we haven’t been able to find Chinese food that we absolutely love. (Sad trombone sound.)

While studying Chinese New Year, we decided that our food pairing with the book we read would be Chinese dumplings — or pot stickers.

Potstickers vs Dumplings

Dumplings and pot stickers are very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. However, dumplings are boiled while pot stickers are quickly pan fried. With pot stickers, you fry them in a little oil for a few minutes and then pour water in the pan and place the lid on the pan and let the pot stickers finish steam cooking for a few more minutes.

We enjoyed the book and the photographs were amazing. However, the book read a little dry and educational. I think it could’ve been an excellent story if it had been narrated by a Chinese child who took us through all the traditions in his/her country and home. You can also try Chinese New Year with Nathaniel: Learn about the Chinese New Year.

How to Make and Fold Chinese Pot Stickers

Our pot stickers were so yummy, but they weren’t the prettiest dumplings around. We didn’t realize how difficult the process of folding and creasing the dumplings was until we made them! We wanted the pretty folded back and forth creased ones–the hardest ones, of course! (I have a new-found respect for those restaurants that make them to order now!) Since we’ll be making these again, I might even order thedumpling press.

To get a general idea of the process, I recommend watching this video first and then making our recipe after. This video gives you several options of how to fold them.